For the second year in a row, the European grain harvest is below 300 million tons. The European Commission calculates this in its latest market report. The weather has had an effect on the grain yield.
For the 2016-2017 season, the EU-28 grain harvest amounted to 294 million tons. In the European Commission's July forecast, the level of the current harvest is also heading in that direction. The EC adjusts the total volume from 298 to 295,6 million tons. This is just above last season. In 2015-2016 the grain harvest was 311,5 million tons.
Less barley and corn
It is mainly grain maize, barley and durum wheat that perform lower. Soft wheat recorded a plus of 3,4%. The EC estimates the total volume at 138,6 million tons. Last year that was 139 million tons. As is known, corn is the biggest decliner, at 4,4%. Barley is down 3%. Rye and oats also both show a plus.
France is coming back strong
After the disastrous harvest of 2016, France is coming back strong. The yield levels are on average 21% higher, the committee calculates. In Germany they hardly differ. Due to drought, Spain harvests more than a quarter less grain. Hungary is almost at that level, with a good 21%. The United Kingdom and Poland recorded a plus of 6% and 3%. Recent rainfall in Germany and elsewhere in Europe has not yet been included in this report. The effects on yield and quality are not yet clear.
Smaller inventories
On July 1, the European Union had a total grain stock of 355,8 million tons. The EC expects consumption of 280 million tons in 2017-2018. Plus exports and losses, the closing stock on June 30, 2018 amounts to 36,6 million tons. The third reduction in a row. The EU expects to be able to export more of soft wheat in particular. A total of almost 37 million tons.